Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows XP > Configuration & Customize > enabling 3/BG switch for using 4GB system memory.

enabling 3/BG switch for using 4GB system memory.

Forum Windows XP : Configuration & Customize - enabling 3/BG switch for using 4GB system memory.

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fishquail   05-23-2007 at 12:16:01 AM

Can someone please explain how to enable my system to use 4GBs of RAM.

I understand that you must enable some thing called the 3/GB switch in the boot.ini file. I have tried this but results in crashes, blues screen of death errors, and general unstableness.

I must have done it wrong. Can someone explain step by step what i have to do?

This is what i tried that didnt work.
http://safe.com/support/online-doc [...] switch.htm


System Specs:
Dual AMD Opteron 270 dual core
MB: Tyan Thunder K8WE (S2895)
RAM: 4GB Corsair something.
GPU: Nvidia Quadro FX 260
AUDIO: Creative Audigy 2 zs.
HDD: 1TB RAID 0 array of 2 500gb disks.
POWER: 600watt

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Assman   05-23-2007 at 12:59:20 AM
- 0 +

what os do you have, 32 bit or 64?

Reply to Assman
edklite   05-23-2007 at 01:07:55 AM
- 0 +

when you right click my computer and choose properties how much ram is listed there under general tab?

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fishquail   05-23-2007 at 06:06:14 PM
- 0 +

I am using WinXP 32 bit.

It says i have 2.75GB of RAM.

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edklite   05-23-2007 at 11:13:43 PM
- 0 +

OK please post me a screen shot of your boot.ini, also you don't' need no 3GB switch I don't even thing that was needed after sp2. ;)

Reply to edklite
edklite   05-24-2007 at 12:11:35 AM
- 0 +

they make no difference grumpy, I've tried them both, with or without no difference and the system still sees only 3GB with or without but the processor with use 4

Reply to edklite
fishquail   05-24-2007 at 03:44:47 AM
- 0 +

[boot loader]
timeout=13
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional Hi-Performace Editing (Internet disabled)" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional (Internet enabled)" /fastdetect /noexecute=optin
C:\="Previous Operating System on C:"

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edklite   05-24-2007 at 04:38:17 AM
- 0 +

you got 2 os in this drive?

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fishquail   05-24-2007 at 07:34:14 AM
- 0 +

yes. Dual boot of windows XP.

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edklite   05-24-2007 at 07:45:49 AM
- 0 +

ok well you can do this for 3GB

Quote :

[boot loader]
timeout=13
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional Hi-Performace Editing (Internet disabled)" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /3GB
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional (Internet enabled)" /fastdetect /noexecute=optin /3GB
C:\="Previous Operating System on C:"



or pae

Quote :

[boot loader]
timeout=13
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional Hi-Performace Editing (Internet disabled)" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /PAE
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional (Internet enabled)" /fastdetect /noexecute=optin /PAE
C:\="Previous Operating System on C:"



But remember by doing so you are actually ristricting apps to only 2GB and kernel to 2GB

Reply to edklite
fishquail   05-25-2007 at 01:25:33 AM
- 0 +

Thanks. But i am confused. Whats the differnce? What does" /PAE " do that is different than "/3GB" ?

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edklite   05-25-2007 at 02:40:36 AM
- 0 +

they are both supposet to pretty much the same thing but at the end you will endup with 2GB for kernel and apps will be ristricted to 2GB also.

I'm not sure why you see 2.75GB tho on my pc its sees all 3GB

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8882/78467082tn7.png

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